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MULETAPE CALCULATOR | How To Select The Right Cable Pulling Tape For The Job

MULETAPE Calculator | selecting the right tape for the pulling of cables

Muletape

NEPTCO is a global leader in the manufacturing of materials used for the Detection & Pulling of Cables, including MULETAPE, for a wide variety of commercial and industrial applications. This Blog demonstrates how the correct tape for pulling cables can be selected, with the MULETAPE calculator.

MULETAPE is a unique pull tape designed to reduce damage to the underground plant – resulting in improved efficiency, and enhanced worker safety.

To see the benefits of using MULETAPE over traditional cable pulling methods, see our Blog: MULETAPE V ROPE

NEPTCO tapes, distributed by Thorne & Derrick, are manufactured with a low stretch polyester material that distributes heat across its wide, flat profile. This improves efficiency and prevents “snap back”, which occurs when a rope under high tension elongates and either breaks or snaps back; often injuring the installer.

A variety of reel lengths of the cable pulling tape is available to suit any installation. Available in a variety of strengths (up to 6,000 lbs or 2727 kg) which enables extensive application use.

MULETAPE pulling tape for wires and cables is a laboratory and field tested for strength, temperature and chemical resistance, low elongation, low coefficient of friction (slips easily even on long pulls), and long life.

MULETAPE CALCULATOR

Cable weight is the biggest influence in MULETAPE recommendations, followed by the number of bends and finally the conduit size.

Pulling tension is a cumulative calculation with each bend in the conduit run contributing to more drag as the pull goes on. It is important to consult the cable manufacturer’s specifications for the maximum pulling tension before installing the cable. If pulling tensions are more than the maximum recommended limit, an intermediate pull box or manhole will need to be placed. MULETAPE is offered in tensile strengths varying from 400 to 6000 lbs.

Pulling forces vary depending on fill ratio, terrain and underground architecture; actual field conditions should be considered. The tension calculator below is intended to be used as a guide.

POINT TO POINT LOOK UP TABLE – FOR BEND ANGLE, DEGREES

It should be noted that pulling tension can vary on the same pull. It is important to determine the starting point that will exert less strain on the cable. Usually, lower tension can be achieved by placing the cable reel closer to the shortest 90-degree bend. It might be helpful to make a sketch of the conduit run, showing bends.

The following is an example of a 460-foot pull of a 3 single conductor #2 15kV in 4” PVC conduit. The cable weighs 1.85 lbs. per foot. Please note the tension changes depending on the starting point of the pull.

As you can see from the examples above, pulling from point J to A results in a lower overall pulling tension; consequently, assuming the recommended knot is tied, a lighter duty MULETAPE can be used to complete the job.

Muletape Calculator Instructions

To apply these formulas in your cable pulling application, follow these steps:

1. Determine the weight per foot of your cable.
2. Multiply the weight by the coefficient of friction for either single cable or multiple cables to determine the pull factor.
3. Sketch the pull and determine the lengths between bends.
4. Multiply the bend factor by the length of conduit.
5. Multiply the result by the pull factor.
6. Add the resulting tension to the next length of conduit and repeat steps 2-5.
7. Repeat step 6 until the last point results in the cable exit.
8. Determine if the tension is lower if the cable is pulled from the opposite end by repeating the same steps from the other end.

MULEKNOT + MULETAPE = a winning combination!

The weakest point of MULETAPE is the knot, and a poor knot can severely impact the tensile performance of the pulling tape. We recommend a MULEKNOT™ or blood knot, which can provide 80% of the rated tensile strength of MULETAPE.

The MULEKNOT is designed to maximize the pulling strength of NEPTCO MULETAPE, while providing a simple, reliable method of splicing lengths of tape in the field. Using the MULEKNOT instead of a traditional bowline knot can greatly increase the pulling strength of the splice and/or connection.

For more information on the MULEKNOT, please see the attached data sheet.

Further Reading

• MULETAPE v Rope : Pulling Cables Into Cable Ducts To Avoid Duct Cutting
• Lace Up Cable Socks – A Guide For Users When Pulling Cables
• Cable Pulling | Safe Pulling of Cables Using Manual Laying

CABLE PULLING EQUIPMENT

Thorne & Derrick International are the UK’s leading stockist and supplier of Cable Pulling & Cable Laying Equipment for the installation of underground cables and overhead lines up to 400kV – the products support cable pulling teams to install LV MV HV cables into trench, cable duct, risers and all forms of cable containment.

Duct Rods | Cable Jacks | Cable Rollers | LV MV HV Cable Pulling & Laying Equipment

Prysmian’s Medium Voltage Power Cables BASEC Approved

Medium Voltage MV Power Cables

Medium voltage power cables manufactured by Prysmian have been accredited by the British Approvals Service for Cables (BASEC) as meeting the requirements of BS 6622 and BS 7835.

The cables’ third-party accreditation will give designers and installers of a wide range of power distribution networks additional assurance in the quality and safety of Prysmian Medium Voltage (MV) power cable from 6.6 kV right up to 33 kV.

The accreditation covers Prysmian’s MV cables with XLPE insulation and PVC sheaths manufactured to British Standard BS 6622, and Prysmian’s MV power cables with a low smoke zero halogen extruded outer sheath (LSOH), manufactured to British Standard BS 7835.

British Standard Cables

These British Standard cables are available from Prysmian with stranded copper or aluminium conductors, XLPE with either bonded or strippable screens, copper taped, as single core with aluminium wire armour or three-core with galvanised steel wire armour.

The company has been manufacturing cables in Britain for all voltages for over 100 years and MV cable at its Wrexham factory since it opened over 50 years ago. The cable’s accreditation by BASEC after over five decades of production serves to highlight the quality and performance inherent in Prysmian cable from the outset.

“Certification by BASEC, is confirmation that Prysmian has led the way in cable technology and quality for many years,” says Martin Boorman, Prysmian’s National Sales Manager. “Engineers and network owners can now have even more confidence in our UK manufactured MV cables,” he adds.

BASEC

BASEC is an independent certification body for the cable industry. It is accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service to provide certification to National, European and International cable product standards. The tests were undertake n in BASEC’s dedicated UK testing laboratory, or were witnessed by BASEC engineers, to certify the MV power cable’s conformity to the British Standards.

MV HV CABLES

Contact T&D for medium voltage cables to IEC 60502-2 international standards including N2XS2Y / NA2XS2Y, NA2XS(F)2Y RE, NA2XS(F)2Y RM and NA2XS(F)2Y RM cable – should you require specification or technical support about 11kV-33kV cable accessory and installation requirements or advice on the terminating, jointing or duct sealing at MV-HV please call us.

T&D also distribute Medium & High Voltage Electrical Safety Equipment including insulating matting, voltage detectors, phase comparators, insulating gloves and life saving intervention kits to ensure the safe installation of MV-HV power cables into electricity substations working at 11kV/33kV up to 400kV transmission grid networks.

11kV 33kV MV HV – Medium & High Voltage Cable Joints, Terminations & Connectors | Cold Shrink & Heat Shrink

Saluting The Linemen Of Florida Power & Light Company

Florida Power & Light Company, the principal subsidiary of NextEra Energy Inc., is a Juno Beach, Florida-based power utility – and the largest electric utility in the state – serving roughly 4.7 million customers and 9 million people in Florida.

1. A decade since Hurricane Wilma FPL continue to make the power grid stronger – installing Smart Grid devices in Miami…

2. FPL building stronger electric grids – installing poles that withstand winds up to 130mph in Lee County…

3. Severe weather expected through the night – FPL linemen work non-stop as long as it’s safe…

4. Be prepared – FPL utility teams gearing up for the storms to strike…

5. FPL lineworkers install Smart Grid devices in Fort Myers to make the electric grid stronger and smarter…

6. FPL building a stronger electric grid, installing poles in Hialeah to withstand winds up to 145mph…

7. FPL lineworkers install Smart Grid devices in BrevardCounty to make the electric grid stronger and smarter…

8. FPL building a stronger, smarter electric system – installing Smart Grid devices in Boca Raton…

Jointers blog

Subscribe now to our POWER NEWSLETTER– a monthly email circulation packed with news, projects, videos, technical tips, training information, promotions, webinars, career opportunities and white papers.

Includes access to our popular JOINTERS BLOG with contributions from utility professionals, linesmen and cable jointers working on MV HV EHV cables and overhead lines typically at 11kV, 33kV, 66kV and up to 132kV.

15,000+ Subscribers. ➡

Anti Pollution Flashover Coatings For High Voltage Substations & Insulators

Image Coutesy of: Zhizhen (Tony) Huang- Fujian Ruisen Chemical Co. Ltd – Sales Manager

• Manufacturer : Fujian Ruisen New Materials Co., Ltd
• Brand : Ruisen
• Items : Ruisen RTV Coating RS-FB-PRTV-575
• Colour : White
• Project : 220KV High Voltage Substation (Spray RS-FB-PRTV-575 for CT)

Further Reading

• 33kV Transition Cable Joint (XLPE PILC) Installed In HV Stepdown Substation
• 33kV Container Substations – Pre-Commissioned & Fitted Out By G2 Energy
• ATEX Electric Heaters | Safe Substation Heating for Battery Rooms

Jointers blog

Subscribe now to our POWER NEWSLETTER– a monthly email circulation packed with news, projects, videos, technical tips, training information, promotions, webinars, career opportunities and white papers.

Includes access to our popular JOINTERS BLOG with contributions from utility professionals, linesmen and cable jointers working on MV HV EHV cables and overhead lines typically at 11kV, 33kV, 66kV and up to 132kV.

15,000+ Subscribers. ➡

Protecting Cable Networks Against Rodents Using A Brush Solution

SUPERSEAL – Brush Solution For Protecting Cable Networks

Brush Solution For Protecting Cable Networks

SUPERSEAL

Rodents not only present a significant risk to human health but also to the integrity and safety of buildings, equipment and cable networks. Electrical enclosures, network installations and trackside trunking provide warm, dry places for rodents to nest.

Rodents need to chew down their constantly growing teeth. Damage to electrical wiring and cables is most hazardous as it causes power shortages, equipment failure and even fires.

Independent tests show that the SUPERSEAL brush strip gives excellent protection against rodent intrusion.

➡ Further Reading Rat & Rodent Resistant Cable Duct Seals For LV MV HV Cables & Substations

SUPERSEAL FR

SUPERSEAL FR is a flame retardant, halogen free brush strip seal with low smoke emission, excellent bend recovery, chemical and temperature resistance. Hardwearing filaments flex and adapt easily to irregular surfaces without impairing moving parts to protect against rodents, uncontrolled airflow, dirt, dust. noise and cold smoke.

SUPERSEAL FR is available with a choice of durable aluminium carriers. If something lighter is required it can be tailored to custom lengths, brush heights, fixing holes and carrier finishes.

Available with a choice of 180º, 45º or 90º aluminium carrier, the SUPERSEAL is available in cut sizes, with prefabricated fixing holes or slots and painted or anodised carrier finishes to suit application.

• UL94-V0 flame retardant filament
• Durable aluminium carrier
• Custom sizes and finishes available

Flame Retardant, Hard Wearing & UV Stabilised Brush Strip

Kleeneze-KOTI is the UK’s leading brush strip manufacturer. Our range of flexible SUPERSEAL brush strip seals and door seals is the largest in the UK, available from stock for next day delivery. If you need something different, we have over 50 years experience in custom technical brush strip solutions for all industrial and commercial applications.

THORNE & DERRICK

Thorne & Derrick are national distributors of LV, MV & HV Cable Installation, Jointing, Substation & Electrical Equipment – servicing businesses involved in cabling, jointing, substation, earthing, overhead line and electrical construction at LV, 11kV, 33kV, 66kV and EHV. Supplying a complete range of power cable accessories to support the installation and maintenance of low/medium and high voltage power systems:

• Slip-on Cable Terminations
• Cold-shrink Cable Terminations
• Heat-shrink Cable Terminations
• Cable Joints – Heat & Cold-shrink
• Separable Connectors (Euromold)
• Surge Arresters & Switchgear/Transformer Bushings

Key Product Categories: Duct Seals | Cable Cleats | Cable Glands | Electrical Safety | Arc Flash Protection | Cable Jointing Tools | Cable Pulling | Earthing | Feeder Pillars | Cable Joints LV | Joints & Terminations MV